Nelson Mandela Remains in South African Hospital for Eighth Day

Former South African President
Nelson Mandela remained hospitalized for an eighth day to treat
a recurring lung infection.

“His status is unchanged from yesterday,” Mac Maharaj, a
spokesman for President Jacob Zuma, said by phone. “He remains
in treatment.”

Mandela, 94, was admitted to a hospital in the capital,
Pretoria, on Dec. 8 for medical tests. Doctors later diagnosed
the lung ailment. It’s the second time he’s been hospitalized
this year after undergoing exploratory abdominal surgery in
February. Last year, Mandela received treatment for an acute
respiratory infection.

After spending 27 years in prison under South Africa’s
white-minority government, Mandela was elected the nation’s
first black president in 1994. He stepped down voluntarily in
1999.